OT: Hershey PA

[kaleighmariesmom]

Our family was thinking of going for a few days in Sept. Has anyone been? what is it like we have a 3 year old and she wants to go and eat candy.. that is what she thinks there is to do...lol..

 

[BeccaBellePA]

I live right outside Hershey, and there is pretty much to do. Chocolate World is fun with kids (and FREE!!). They have a little ride-thru about how chocolate is made and everyone gets a free sample at the end. There's also a "4-D" movie about the history (extra charge) and a place where you can make your own chocolate bar.

The park is pretty expensive to get into (not sure about child's price) but there are a lot of kid rides, and with the new waterpark section, definitely enough to keep you busy for a few days.

But be forewarned: Food prices at HersheyPark are actually higher than Disney, and it's almost all fast-food.

There are plenty of hotels in the area, and it's not far from Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, which is normally a big hit with younger kids.

Have fun!

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

how about amish country? my DH is interested in going to see that. Is it far from there?

 

[rbork]

Dutch Wonderland! is a big hit w/ the little ones. But I admit HP has a good deal for the wee ones as well. Chocolate World has a "make your own candy bar" part and 3D movie. Farm B&B's are fun and very reasonable for young families. Can't remember when the water section closes (by Sept or not?) The Strausberg RR/Thomas is in Lancaster County too. We had Season Passes to Hershey for years. I love HP! Nice family atmosphere. 800padutch is a good website for lodging and restaurant info.
Good Luck and have a good time.

 

[BeccaBellePA]

how about amish country? my DH is interested in going to see that. Is it far from there?

Yep...Lancaster is maybe 30-45 minutes away.

And there are some great outlets

 

[rbork]

Dutch Wonderland is on the same Busy Strip as the Outlets in Lancaster. Driving around Lancaster County is very easy and relaxing the further out you get.

 

[WoodsFamily]

We went to Hershey about 3yrs ago sorta a last min girls trip. It was me my mom and my DD (she was 3 1/2) at the time. We had a BLAST. We didnt do HP but we did do dutch wonderland and chocolate world. We also did the hershey Zoo. We stayed at a holiday inn Express for about 4 nights. We drove from ohio.

DD had a wonderful time. When DD2 gets a little older we will take her and
DD6 again.

I will never forget the chocolate ride (DD made us ride it 6 times) it smells like warm chocolate everywhere!!!

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

thanks everyone for their imput.. it is helping a lot!! I am sold on it!

 

[Drewsmommybear]

We were just at Hershey a few weeks ago. There are tons of rides for younger kids and they'll allow you to bring some snacks in with you so we avoid buying as much food that way. Their food prices are REALLY high as someone said.

A little tip--you can get discounted tickets for Hershey Park at Giant grocery stores. They are all over PA. I will say that even with the discounted tickets, for the three of us (myself, DH, and DS(4) ), the bill was still 108.00. Without the discount, I believe it would have been closer to 130.00. Also, if you buy a souvenir cup at HP, they will fill it up with water for free all day long.

We've also done Lancaster though not Dutch Wonderland. Our son got a kick out of buying root beer and pretzels from Amish children. Bird in Hand is a nice little town in Lancaster that has a farmer's market and is easy to walk through. The Strasburg railroad is also nice and if you check, Thomas the Tank may be there.

Wow. I didn't mean to write this much, LOL.

 

[Iceman10]

Gettysburg ain't too far away either!

You can usually find me out in the middle of the battlefield in my blue wool suit....geeze I am nuts!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Gettysburg ain't too far away either!

You can usually find me out in the middle of the battlefield in my blue wool suit....geeze I am nuts!

We did Hershey Park 4 years ago (loved the town! It smells like chocolate.) and on the spur of the moment, took the Gettysburg exit as we were driving home.

It sparked such an interest in my then 6 year old son. This year he did his fourth grade research project on the first half of the Civil War. He wants to go back to Gettysburg and do the whole tour!

 

[PaulaSue]

We go often and it is a great park for older kids and adults. (HP owns Dutch Wonderland now and is more geared to little kids/toddlers.) Much more thrill rides than Disney. (Not big like Disney or as themed, but clean and well mantained.)

Just wanted to add, not sure if someone already posted, that HP is only open on weekend in Sept after Labor Day. HTHs

 

[bluesky225]

We went to Hershey Park last year. We loved it!! We also went to Amish country and did a bus tour/meal, and we really enjoyed that as well. I LOVED that area in Pennsylvania (both Amish country and Hershey). The chocolate world tour was really cute, and it's very nice to have something free to do! The park was fun for my 6 year old, and he enjoyed the trip a lot too! Hope you have fun!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Since she is only 3 it makes sense she thinks Hershey Park is to eat candy.
Don't worry, she will be so busy she will forget the candy.

 

[TinaLala]

We just went to Hershey in May for Mother's Day after a trip to DC! My girls had a blast. The Boardwalk area will be open now so you can enjoy some time at the pool as well. There's so much to do for kids of all ages! We spent the entire day there and could have gone back.

 

[PaulaSue]

Didn't you love that Mothers got in free on Mother's Day? They did that too on Father's day. A first for both , this year. (with a coupon)